The Fruit of Long Hatred

For two long years Absalom nurses his hatred of Amnon and secretly plots revenge. In so doing, he falls into a sin every bit as heinous as Amnon’s, for the Scriptures declare that one who hates is a murderer already (1 John 3:15). Furthermore, as Matthew Henry points out, Absalom is contemplating a great affront to God, for he is “offering to repair the breach of [God’s] seventh commandment by the violation of His sixth, as if they were not all alike sacred.”

Absalom sees an opportunity to carry out his murderous designs when the time comes for shearing his sheep in Baal Hazor, some distance north of Jerusalem. In connection with this important “harvest” event, Absalom plans a feast, and he invites his father and all of David’s other sons to attend. The king declines to go, saying he does not want to force Absalom to spend extravagantly on entertainment. But David appears to regret not going, for he “blesses” Absalom to lessen the sting of his refusal. Absalom then takes advantage of David’s discomfort to ask a boon—that he will allow Amnon, the oldest son and therefore probably the designated heir to the throne, to come. David is slightly suspicious and asks why Absalom wants Amnon to attend his feast, but Absalom does not answer directly; he merely pleads with David, who soon gives in. Thus, David once again unwittingly helps facilitate a wicked design by one of his sons (see v. 7).

Absalom has lined up his servants to do his dirty work, just as David used Joab and the army to dispose of Uriah. Absalom instructs his men that he will get Amnon drunk and then signal them to strike. To overcome their reluctance to carry out such a deed, Absalom urges them to see themselves as simply acting on his orders: “Have I not commanded you?” In other words, his command to them must override God’s command: “You shall not murder.” Furthermore, he urges them to be “courageous and valiant,” as if a surprise attack on a drunken man requires valor. It would have been better for them to show fear of God and exhibit true courage in refusing to participate in Absalom’s outrageous plot (see 1 Sam. 22:17).

The plan unfolds just as Absalom intends, and his servants fall upon Amnon, apparently in sight of all his brothers and half-brothers. In a panic, they quickly grab their mounts and flee for their lives.